Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-06-01
A SERMON TO YOUNG LADIES BY REV.
J.W. ROSEBR0.

Rev. j. w. Rosebro who was some year:
ago pastor of Messy Creek Church in this
county, from which he was called to the
Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg, and
thence to Tabb Street Presbyterian Church
in Petersburg, Va, of which he is still
pastor, on Sunday of last week delivered
to large congregation in that church an
interesting sermon, the subject of which
was ''The influence of, young ladies in
society, and how it should be used."
Mr.. Rosebro selected as his text, "She
hath done what she could.''
| After announcing his text DR.. Rosebro
said
You will pardon me in introducing my
topic this evening. ] have chosen this
topic not as my own selection, but by re-
quest. l have heard many sermons ad-
dressed to young men, because we know so
we'll the temptations of their life. have
never heard one addressed to young ladies,
but when we consider how potent their in
| f1uence it would not seem inappropriate to
preach special sermon to them. "The
| influence of young ladies in society, and
how it should be used" is the subject of the
sermon for this evening, said Mr. Bosebro.
Society is what ladies make it. Society is
| shaped almost entirely by young ladies
who make it up. They are the queens of
society. We look to them and we ought to
look to them. Being young man myself
L can say that young men are not fit to
shape society-young men who curse,
swear and live in debauchery. Let woman
spend one night from home in debauchery
and it is like the delicacy nature has put on
the beautiful fruit-once taken away it
never can be replaced. Impure men exact
of women that which is pure. Young men
young ladies that we look. They ought to
determine the amusements of society and
its life. May not say to the young ladies
of this audience that in this place we have
opportunities for shaping society, because
we are shielded from the designations of.
larger cities? We have here, as handmade
to religion, music. Now it is yours young
ladies, to rebuke impurity. How many
young men realize the fact that these young
ladies are watching us and our conduct?
The young ladies who are to shape society
must be christians. God made you for
something better than to be beautiful but
terfiies for awhile, and then to pass away.
If your chief end is to glorify God that you.
may enjoy Him forever, then you are fit to
be queens and to wave the sceptre of So
ciety. Thank God that many women are
paying the debt that they owe Christ. Not
fof woman to know what she owes God
is enough to make her blush with shame
She has longings which only He can satisfy
What does she owe God? Just 90 back a
century and you will see the debt of woman
to Christ and what precious opportunities
she has had to pay the debt. You are all
familiar with the fact that one of the most
brilliant men in the State, who was given
to drunkenness, and his friends said that
there was no hope for him, was found one
day lying in the gutter drunk with the hot
rays of the sun pouring down upon him,
and how young lady who happened to see
him, stopped, and taking out her hand
kerchief spread it over his face. On the
handkerchief was the name of the young
lady, and after the man had awakened from
his drunken stupor he looked at the name
on the handkerchief and then looking up
to Heaven said, sNever shall that lady re-
pent of her act," and he was saved. If we
would be the medium of doing good, we
must be obedient to the laws ourselves.-l
Young ladies, do you ever realize the fact
that the churches look to you more than to
any other class. The churches look to YOU
as to what they shall engage in. The
questions that give so much trouble to the
churches must be settled by you. Now, if
you are conscientious to fix the standard in
society you will have to do what is con-
trary to your will. Now to do this you
must keep before you the high ideal of
womanhood. If you are clothed with those
noble virtues you will shape society to
whatever things are lovely. There has
been a great deal of discussion whether
woman can be educated as man. Our
school girls are not taught as If they were
dependent on themselves for livelihood
They are trained for colleges and schools
as if a loving husband or father would care
for them. May the day never come when
they shall be seen at the ballot-box, or
soiling their sweet and pure character with
the dirty, filthy mud of politics ! Does not
education often unfit women for the duties
of life, and does it not fit her for idleness
She sinks down to idleness by the reading
of novels and units herself for the duties
of life. There is great difference between
getting married and being married. Mar
riage is one of the sacred ordinances of
God, and there is nothing more beautiful
than a loving husband and wife, but there
is nothing more ptiable than to see a sweet
young woman over-anxious to get married.
In conclusion Mr.. Rosebro said that he
confessed he scarcely knew what topics to
discuss, but he had endeavored to set be-
fore the young laGies their opportunities
and responsibilities.
1.-THE gentleman referred to as having
been reclaimed by the kind act of the young
lady who spread her handkerchief over his
face was the able, eloquent, and distin-
guished William Writ who became Attor
ney- General of the United States-was the
author of the s'British Spy" and of the
''Life and character of Patrick Henry p
and the lady referred to-Miss Gamble, of
Richmond became his wife.--ED. SPEC
TATOR.
''Said Aaron to Moses
Let's cut off our noses.''
Aaron must have been sufferer from